Today's Paper
» NATIONAL
» ANDHRA PRADESH

Vegetable prices hit the roof in Chittoor

Traders attribute the price rise to the Phailin devastation in Odisha and North Andhra.– File Photo

After a brief lull, the prices of vegetables have once again soared high, causing concern among people in Chittoor district. With the festival of Deepavali just a few days away from now, the high prices of vegetable is set to add to the woes of the consumers.

On Monday, the onion price stood at Rs 70 per kg, even the rotting variety was sold at Rs 50 per kg at the vegetable market here. Five days ago, the price was below Rs. 50 for moderate varieties. Similarly, the tomatoes per kg is priced at Rs 60 per kg while it was Rs. 14 last week. The garlic price too doubled from what it was last week. Prices of other vegetables too remained slightly high.

The traders attributed the reason for the price increase to the Phailin devastation in Odisha and North Andhra, and drastic fall in the supply of onion stocks from Maharashtra and Karnataka. Limited stocks in the markets at Chittoor, Madanapalle, Punganur, Palamaner and Kuppam led to a suspicion among public that the onions were subjected to hoarding in view of the ensuing Deepawali season. It is observed that the price of onion might shoot up to Rs. 100 for the festive season.

The financial stringency among the public in the aftermath of the Samaikhyandra bandh has a direct impact on the business, with few takers for the onions. This phenomenon with onions and tomatoes indirectly affected the meat sales in the rural side, with people adjusting to the prevailing onion crisis.